Pastor T.L. Barrett And The Youth For Christ Choir - Like A Ship (Without A Sail) LP (1971) Mt Zion Gospel - CD (2010) Light In The Attic - Rare Gospel/Soul (FLAC)

This is a wonderful holy grail album that will appeal to Gospel & Soul Fans alike!..just check out the tasters!....Pastor T.L. Barrett led a youth choir out of Chicago during the late '60s and early '70s, just a few years after he got on the straight and narrow path, which may help listeners understand the unique power of the material on "Like a Ship"(Without a Sail).  Self-released by Barrett in 1971, it communicates many things, foremost being adoration and praise and, on the title track, the lost, aimless feelings that were undoubtedly shared by many a youth in the late '60s. Barrett got help on arrangements from some of Chicago's best studio hands, Chess/Cadet maestro Gene Barge, bassists Phillip Upchurch and Richard Evans, and drummer Charles Pittman. The opening title track is a moving piece of progressive soul, closer to Rotary Connection than Edwin Hawkins with Barrett's vocals evoking Stevie Wonder singing in the style of Donny Hathaway, and the choir is powerful and recorded well. A gem of contemporary gospel, much more obscure (at least outside of Chicago) than it deserved to be. "Joyful Noise" & "Ever Since" went big back in the day on the northern scene.

AMM

                                                                The Mighty Tasters!